Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
